The Pocket Gnome

Twelve-year-old David Mishram did not believe in magic. If he had, he would not have made the trap that caught a black-hearted pocket-sized gnome called Lod Fomori, or encountered a mysterious two-natured woman, or fought the vicious Fomori tribe to save the last seed of Power. If he had believed in myth and magic, he would NEVER have set that trap and our world would be a very different place. More

Tanglemere village is very old, very quaint and exactly the sort of place Beatriz Mishram thinks she needs for a fresh start after the break-up of her marriage. Unfortunately, her twelve year-old son, David, does not agree. He hates everything about their new home except their large and unkempt garden.

David’s anger and resentments are beginning to take a dark turn. He thinks about catching one of the small creatures he can hear lurking at the bottom of the garden. Stealing a box from their neighbour’s shed, David sets up a simple trap. The next morning, much to his surprise, he finds that his unlikely set-up has worked.

At first, David is delighted but he soon learns that what lives at the bottom of the garden is better left undisturbed. Tricked into what he believes is a blood-brother bond with a magical creature; David thinks that he can have his adventure and still be home in time for dinner. But his gnome ‘brother’ has far deeper plans.

The remnants of an ancient and terrible people, the Fomori gnomes have been waiting for thousands of years for their one chance to break the curse that bound them to their pocket-sized forms. Finally, it has arrived and David is caught up in the continuation of a mythical battle, with Powers that have long lain hidden.

Now, one unhappy boy must rise above his own grief to become the guardian of an ancient curse, a wielder of Power and protector of the fragile seed for a better future.

Lynette Aspey writes science fiction and fantasy for anybody who likes reading, or being read to. She originates from Sydney, Australia and grew up amidst beaches, bushland, horses, sunshine and books. Lots, and lots of books.

At 21, Lyn went travelling and lived in the UK, Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, the Caribbean and various inter-dimensional spaces between. For over fifteen years, Lyn, with her husband and daughter, lived onboard a cruising yacht. Those were the years when they had no idea where they'd be next, or what they'd be doing from day to day.

Lyn is now back in Australia and she's once again surrounded by bushland and animals of various kinds. Some of them four-legged.

Reviews

Review by:
Sue hoyden
on Oct. 24, 2011 :
Captures the imagination right from the start and continues to do so all the way through til the end with wonderful imaginative descriptions. A lovely tale that can be enjoyed together with your kids (or grandkids)
(reviewed 26 days after purchase)

Review by:
Katy G
on Sep. 28, 2011 :
Alison/Age 12
I feel as though I am on the journey with David. The discriptions make it appear real. I am tempted to creep down to the bottom of my garden and check for gnomes! A clever idea twisted into an intriging story for more mature readers.
(reviewed 3 days after purchase)

Review by:
Anne Dunlop
on Sep. 23, 2011 :
Great book, lots of fun. I love Lynn's descriptions, like; "as if the baker had dropped a button of pink sugar and a dash of attitude into the bread mixture"? The hidden undercurrent of a very unhappy wee boy, who suddenly finds that life isn't as bad as he thought evolves beautifully. Recommended for young readers and readers who still believe they're young!
(reviewed 23 days after purchase)